Teeth cleaning unit



May 3, 1949. M. BOULICAULT TEETH CLEANING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 24, 1946 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 3, 1949.

Filed A ril 24, 1946 15 4 M /le M. BOULICAULT TEETH CLEANING UNIT 2Sheets-Sheet 2 VINVENT OR figam/ .Zoubkaq/Z ATTORNEYS Patented May 3,1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

' This invention relates to improved teeth cleaning units and moreparticularly to a teeth cleaning assembly containing a tooth brush andall accessories for the proper care of the teeth assembled together in acompact and attractive unit I ordinarily carried by the individuals orotherwise are not conveniently available or accessible throughout theday. 7

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a teeth cleaning assemblywhich presents a compact, convenient and attractive unit. The dentifriceis contained in a dispenser holder sanitarily housed within a sealed anddust-proof compart ment in the handle section of the unit. In theparticular form of the invention shown in this applicatiomthe brushsection may also be sanitarily housed within the handle section, and maybe readily detached from and reattached to the handle section in useposition to provide a convenient instrumentality tothoroughly clean theteeth. The unit may be equipped with a compartment for containing adrying agent for drying the brush bristles. The drying agent may alsohave incorporated therein a sterilizing compound effective to sterilizethe brush bristles when in housed position within the handle section.The sterilizing compartment may be associated with either the handlesection or the brush section, and is provided with passages in directcommuni cation with the brush compartment to eiiect thorough drying ofthe brush bristles in a short interval of time.

A dental floss receptacle may also form a part of the unit, and may beassociated with either the dentifrice holder or the brush section of theunit. Various forms of dentifrice holders may be provided for containingdentifrice in powdered, paste or stick form, each holder being designedfor interchangeable association with the teeth cleaning unit. Eachholder is constructed so that the contained dentifrice when not in usemay be housed in the tubular handle section of the unit,

with the holder providin a closure cap for the end of the tubular handlesection.

The Complete unit, including the tooth brush and teeth cleaningaccessories, is assembled in a compact and sturdy manner and is of suchsize and form that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket orpurse. The unit and the parts thereof may be formed of plastics ormetal, and may be molded or shaped into various attractive forms. Theunit is so constructed that the brush bristles are fully protected fromdirt, contamination and damages and may be maintained at all times in athoroughly sanitary condition. Teeth cleaning units, constructed inaccordance with this invention, encourage and make convenient the propercleaning and care of the teeth.

In order that a clearer understanding of this invention may be had,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the improved teethcleaning unit showing all of the parts thereof in contained assembledposition.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the unit showing the parts thereof indetached position, some of the parts being shown in cross section andother parts in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of the unit as viewed in thedirection of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the dentifrice holderdesigned to contain a dentifrice stick, and a detachable receptacleassociated therewith designed to contain a spool of dental floss.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the unit as viewed in the direction of thearrows 55 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of an assembled teethcleaning unit of modified form and wherein the drying compartment isassociated with the brush section of the unit.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of another modified formof teeth cleaning unit wherein the dental floss receptacle is associatedwith the brush section of the unit.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view, partly in section, of the modified unitshown in Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a teeth cleaning unitof more simplified form.

Similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings and specification.

The improved teeth cleaning unit made in accordance with this inventioncomprises a brush crystals 13.

section I detachably and reversibly secured to one end of a tubularhandle section '2. The tubular handle section 2 has a brush compartmenta. designed to receive and house the brush portion of the brush section.The tubular handle section I is also provided with a compartment bdesigned to receive and contain a dentifrice holder 3. The tubularhandle section 2 may comprise a relatively straight section of tubingformed either of plastic or metal, and may be circular, elliptical orpolygonal in cross section. One end of the tubular handle section may beprovided with internal threads or a friction surface lfi by means ofwhich the brush section may The opposite end of the tubular handlesection 2 is also provided with internal threads or a friction surface Hby means of which the dentifrice holder 3 may be detachably secured tothe handle section. The brush compartment 0. and the dentifricecompartment bof the tubular handle section are separated by 'atransverse partition wall 12 so that there is no communication betweenthe brush co'mpart'r'nnt'a. and the dentifrice compartment'b.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and *7, the tubular handlesection 2 is provided with a drying compartment designed to con- 'tain adrying agent, such as suitable drying The drying compartment 0 is de-'fined between a partition wall l2 and a perforated wall It spaced fromthe wan -12, both walls being fixed to the interior surface of thetubular wall of the handle section *2. The perforated wall Hi isprovided with small holes or perforations l providing communicatingpassages between the brush compartmenta and the drying "compartment 0.

The brush section I comprises a stem portion to which one or more rowsof brush bristles 21 are firmly secured. Thelower end of the stemportion 20 merges into a base portion 22. The base portion 22 and thestem portion 28 maybe molded from a suitable plastic and the baseportion is provided with a circumferentially extending rim portion 23designed to provide a shoulder which seats against the adjacent end 160f the tubular han'dle'section 2.

2:; and being provided with an external friction or threaded surfacedirectly adjacent to the collar portion 23. The friction or threadedsurface 25 of the half portion 24 is designed to frictionally engage thethreaded or friction surface ID of the handle section 2 to detachabl-ysecure the brush section to the handle section 2 when the stem portion'20 and brush bristles 2| are housed within the brush compartment a ofthe handle section. The other half portion 25 provides anattractive-closure end for the handle section when the brush bristles 2|are housed within the compartment a.

The outer periphery of the half portion 26 is provided with a frictionor a threaded surface 21 immediately adjacent to the collar portion 23to permit attachment of thebrush section I to the handle section -2 whenthe brush section is in use positionas-indicated in Fig. 2, in whichposition the half portion 26 will extend into the tubular end of thehandle section 2. The base portion 22 of th stem section thusprovides'the be detachably and reversibly secured thereto frice stick30.

upper end 42 or the tion I is The head portion 3|, v the'tubular casingwall '35 of the holder may be .portion3l of the "dehtifrice holder 3.

means for detachably and reversibly securing the stem section I tothehandle section 2 both in housed position as shown in Fig. 1, and inuse position as indicated in Fig. 2. The base portion 22 of the handlesection is attractively shaped and formed to provide an attractiverounded end for the unit when the brush bristles are in housed position,and also provides an attractive merging connection between the handlesection Land the brush stem 29 when the brush section is attached to thehandle section in teeth cleaning position.

The dentifrice holder 3 may be constructed in varying forms to bestaccommodate the dentifrice utilized. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6,the

dentifrice holder is designed to contain a dentifrice stick 30.

The dentifrice holder 3 as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive is providedwith an elliptical shaped head portion 3| having an inset shoulder 32designed to fit snugly against the adiacent'endofthe'handle section 2. Aneck portion 33 extends fromth'e shoulder'portion 32 and is designed totelescope into the adjacent end of the handle section 2.

The neck portion 33 is provided with a friction or threaded surface 34designed to cooperate with the friction or threaded surface H of thehandle section to detachably secure the dentifrice holder to the handlesection.

A tubular casing walk-35 rises from the neck portion 33 and isdesignedto contain the denti- The lower end of thedentifrice stick 30 'isrembva'bly and replaceably supported in a cup shaped elementsifihaving-abottom wall 31 and a tubular side wall 38 designed to telescope withinthe tubular casing wall 35. The

cup shaped element 36 is provided with a projecting ear 39 designed toproject through and slide within an-elongated slot M! in the tubularcasing wall 35. The outer surface M of the projecting ear 39 may beknurled so that it may be easily grasped by the thumb to telescope andmanipulate the cup shaped element 3t within the tubular casing wall 35and thus eject the upper end of the dentifrice stick '30 beyond the vtubular casing wall 35 to the extent requiredto deposit'the desiredquantity of dentifrice o'ntlfle brush bristles. It will beappreciated'th atthe dentifrice holder 3 is removable from the handlesection 2 so as to conveniently permit'theappli'cation of dentifrice tothe brush bristles 2! when the brush secarranged "in teeth cleaningposition. the neck portion 33 and economically molded froma suitableplasti'cin one piece. The 'cupelem'ent 36 may also be molded ofplasticas desired. "The out'er'surface der forming"wallfladesigned'toseat against the end of the head "portion 3| of the holder. A tubularneck portion 49 extends upwardly from the shoulder 'forming wall "48 ofthe floss receptacle 45, providing with the dome shaped wall 41 thereof"a suitable containing-cavity for the spool -sertion and removal of thefloss "are fully protected fromcontainination.

s of dental floss 46. The tubular neck portion 49 of the flossreceptacle extends into a conforming cavity 59 provided in the headportion 3! of the holder, and the neck portion 49 of the flossreceptacle may be provided with a suitable thread formation to engageconforming threads 5! surrounding the cylindrical cavity of the headportion 3!. It will be appreciated that the floss receptacle 55 can thusbe removably detached from the head portion 3| of the dentifrice holder,as shown particularly in Fig. 2, to permit inspool 46 from the flossreceptacle 45.

The dome shaped wall 47 of the floss receptacle may be provided with asmall hole 52 through which the floss thread i fi may be withdrawn. Thewithdrawn floss thread 46' maybe severed to the length desired bydrawing the withdrawn floss thread 46' against the cutting" edge of aknife element 53 stamped out from the dome shaped wall 4'! of the flossreceptacle. The exterior surface t? of the dome shaped wall 4! may -besuitably knurled to provide a finger grip.

'The teeth cleaning unit illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive providesall the accessories necessary for the proper care'of the teeth. Theparts thereof when fully assembled in closed position Moisture left onthe brush bristles 2| after the teeth have been cleaned is withdrawnby'the drying action of the drying c ystals It contained with- 1 in thedrying compartment directly adjacent the housed brush bristles.

The solid partition wall :2 prevents any moisture moving from the brushcompartment a to the dentifrice compartment 1). The unit, with theassembled parts in closed position, provides a convenient instrument forthe care of the teeth which can be carried in the pocket or purse. Allparts are protected against I 'dust and contamination and the clothingor purse in which the unit is carried is not in an way soiled by contactwith the closed'unit.

When the teeth are to be 'cleanedthe base portion 22 of the brushsection may be easily manipulated with the fingers to remove the brushsection from the handle section 2,the brush section quickly reversed inposition, and the half portion 26 inserted into the adjacent end of thehandle section and attached thereto to provide a convenient instrumentfor brushing the teeth. The dentifrice holder 3 is detached from thehead section 2 and the desired deposit of dentifrice placed on the brushby manipulating the "cup element 35 which supports the lower end of thedentifrice stick 30. The dentifrice holder can then be replaced andreattached to the handle section. The instrument is then used to cleanthe teeth and when finished the brush section is detached from thehandle section 2, reversed in position, and the half portion 24associated with the brush stem is inserted into the brush compartment aand the half portion 26 manipulated so that the friction surface of thebase portion 22 will firmly engage the friction surface N3 of the handlesection.

There is illustrated in Fig. 6 a teeth cleaning unit similar to thatillustrated and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, modified to the extent that thedrying compartment 0 is contained within the base portion 22 of thebrush section. As shown in Fig. 6,

the base portion 22 of the brush section is-made in two parts comprisinga containing part 55 to which a dome shaped closure part 55 isdetachably secured. The container part 55 comprises adome shapedcontaining-wall 51 which merges into and is integral with the stemportion 26 of the brush section. The dome shaped containing wall 51presents an interior cavity providing a compartment 0 for containing thedrying crystals iii. The containing wall 57 is provided with a series ofsmall holes or openings 58 providing conducting passages between thebrush compartment a of the handle section and the drying compartment cin the brush section. The upper portion of the containing wall 5? isgenerally cylindrical in form and is provided with a lateral extendingexterior rim portion 23 designed to seat against the adjacent end it ofthe handle section. The containing wall 51 presents a friction orthreaded surface 25 directly below the rim portion 23 adapted to engagewith the friction or threaded surface I0 of the handle section todetachably secure the brush section in housed position to the handlesection. The containing wall 5? is also provided with a friction orthreaded surface Lil directly above the rim portion 23 for detachablysecuring the brush section in use position to the handle sec-tion.

The containing part and the dome shaped cover part 56 of the baseportion 22 shown in Fig. 6 may be made from a suitable plastic. Thecover part has an 'inturned shoulder portion '56 designed to seatagainst the upper end of the containing wall 5] and is provided with aplug portion which has a friction or threaded exter: nal surface 62designed to engage a corresponding friction or threaded surface 63provided internally of the containing wall 5?. The cover par may beprovided with a suitable knurled surface it and may be removed from thecontaining part 55 to permit insertion of a fresh supply of dryingcrystals it in the drying compartment c of the brush section.

In the construction shown in 6 it be 0 noted that the base portion 22presents the same exterior appearance and form as the global portion 22of the brush section shown in Fig, i and is applied or attached to thehandle section 2 in t e same manner. The drying compartment c in thebase portion 22 shown in Fig. 6 corn municates as by holes 53 with thebrush compartment at of the handle section so that thugh drying of thebrush bristles can be effected. It will thus be appreciated that adrying compartment 0 may be provided in the handle section, or in thebase portion 32 of the brush section, or in both the handle section andthe section, to insure rapid drying of the moistened bristles.

There is shown in Fig. '7 and Fig. 8 a further alternative arrangementwherein the floss receptacle is associated with the base portion 22 ofthe brush section, rather than with the portion 3! of the dentifriceholder 3 as shown. Figs. 1 to 5 inciusive. The head portion 35 of hedentrifrice holder 3 as shown in Fig. 7 may thus be made substantiallysolid and without a floss receptacle associated therewith. Inassociating the floss receptacle with the base portion 22 of the brushsection as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the base portion 22 presents acontaining part 65 having an upwardly extending c1 indrical wall 65providing a spool receiving cavity the The cavity is closed by the flossreceptacle having a dome shaped wall 4?, an inturned shoulder formingwall 58 and a tubular wall :39 which extends into the cavity defined bythe cylindrical wall 6% of the containing part 65 of the brush section.The containing part 55 of the brush section is provided with a frictionor threaded sure -is guided in its verticalmovement bythe facedirectly'below therimportion 23 adapted to engage the friction surfaceID of the handle section to detachably-secure'the brush section inhoused-position to the-handle-section. The-eontainingpart 6515 alsoprovided with a threaded --or friction surface-2l directly abovetherirnportion 2 3 todetachably secure the brush section in useposition-to the handle sect-ion. The-floss receptacle-dti may bedetachedfrom the containing .part "55 spool is to of the brush section whenafresh floss be inserted. When the brush section is in use position thefloss receptacle 45attached to the containing part 65 thereof extendsinto the tubular handle section-2 without interference.

There is shown inFigs. 7 and 8 a modified form of ejector type holderfor supporting and containing the dentifrice stick 30. In this form 'ofthe invention, the lower end-of the dentifrice stick is supported in a.cup element 3 6 having a bottom wall 31 and a tubular side wall 38. Thecup element 36 slides within a tubular sleeve 35 fixed to 'or formedintegral with the neck portion -33 of the head portion 3|. The cupelement 35 is provided with a projecting ear 39 which extends throughalongitudinally extending slot 4-0 formed in the tubular sleeve 1 35.

An exterior sleeve (it surrounds and encases the inner sleeve and seatsagainst the upper end of the collar portion 33. The inner surface of theouter sleeve it is provided with a helical groove t! into which theprojecting ear 3 9-projects.

Upon detachment of the head portion 3! from the tubular handle sectionZ,the dentifrice-stick may be ejected from the upper end ofthe outersleeve 44 by holding the outer sleeve 4d and rotating the head portion3I. The cup'element 36 into which the ear 39 associated with the cupelement projects. The projecting end of the car 33 tracks in the spiralgroove -61 provided on the inner surface of the'outer sleeve 44, causingthe cup element-36 to ride upwardly within the inner sleeve when theouter sleeve -44 is rota-ted. Thus the dentifrice stick 30 ma be ejectedfrom the upper end of the'outer sleeve 44 and drawn into the outersleeve '44 by holding the outer sleeve 44 andmanipulating the headportion 3i.

There is shown in Fig. 9 a teeth cleaning-unit ofsimple form andinexpensive in design which has no floss receptacle and no dryingcompartment.

In this simplifiedform of the invention the base portion 22 of the brushsection may be -made solid throughout as in the form shown in Fig. 1,and the head section 3! of the dentifrice holder 3 may also be madesolid in construction asin the form shown in Fig. 7.

The various embodiments of this invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9inclusiveare intended to illustrate the various forms and arrangement ofparts which may be interchangeably incorporated in a practical andeconomical teeth cleaning unit. 'As these various modificationsillustrat'the drying compartment 0 may form a part of the handle sectionll, or apart of the base portion 2-2 of the brush sectiomor both dryingcompartments may be provided if desired in a single unit. The dentalfloss receptacle 45 may be associated with the head portion 43 0fthe-dentifrice holder as shown in'Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, or the flossreceptacle 45 may be associated with the base portion '22 of the brushsection as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In the most simplified form both thedrying compartment and the floss receptacle may be eliminated from theunit as shown in Fig. 9. Thus it will be appreciated that various andalter-naslot 40, a

frice stick when not in use preferences. to be produced economically, sothat when the portion for detachably securing the tive arrangements ofthe parts may be provided within the contemplation of this invention.

The dentifrice holder shown in Figs. '1 to 9 inclusive is particularlydesigned to receive the dentifrice in stick form and presents a'highlyconvenient holder which fully protects the dentiand which provides meansto eject the dentifrice stick to permit the desired quantity ofdentifrice to be supplied to the brush.

The brush sections may be made in various forms with differentarrangements of brush bristles best designed to satisfy varied customerThe brush section is so designed as bristles have been worn in use, theused brush section can be discarded and replaced. A plurality of brushsections may be boxed in a single carton for sale, so that the user isprovided with a constant supply of his preferred form of brush. Wherethe base portion 22 of the brush is provided with the drying compartment0 containing the drying crystals l3 as shown inFig. 6, the dryingcrystals may have sufficient drying life to last out the life of thebrush'bristles, so that a fresh supply of drying crystals is supplied tothe unit with each replaceable brush section.

The improved teeth cleaning unit disclosed in this patent need not besubstantially-largerthan a 'goo'd sized fountain pen and thus can beconveniently carried in the pocket or purse. All necessary implementsfor the proper'car e of the teeth may be variously and convenientlyarranged as indicated, and'maintaine'd in afresh and "sterile conditionfor individual and personal use. The dentifrice, contained in thevarious types of holders as above described, is fully protected againstcontamination in the dentifrice compart- 'ment of the hollow handlesection. This improved teeth cleaning unit, having associated therewithallthe necessary teeth cleaning accessories, provides a convenient and.practical instrumentfor the proper care of the teeth.

What is claimed is:

1'. A teeth cleaning unitincluding in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment and a dentifrice compartment, a brushsection comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a"base portion at the base end of the brush stem, said base portionproviding a closure for the brush compartment of the tubular handlesection, 'means associated with said base portion for detachablysecuring said brush section to said tubular handle section in useposition, means associated with said base brush section to the handlesection with thebrush stem and brush bristles in housed position withinthe brush compartment of said handle section, a drying compartmenthaving a perforated wall presenting passages through which moisture inthe brush tion, a tubular handle section having a brush compartment, adentifrice compartment, and a drying compartment interposed between saidbrush and dentifrice compartments, said drying compartment being definedby a solid partition Wall sealing off the drying compartment from thedentifrice compartment and a perforated partition wall spaced from saidsolid partition wall separating the drying compartment from the brushcompartment, a brush section comprising a brush stem supporting thebrush bristles and a base portion at the base end of the brush stem,said base portion having means associated therewith for securing saidbrush section to said tubular handle section, a dentifrice holderinclude ing a head section providing a closure for the dentifricecompartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion havingmeans for containing and supporting dentifrice, and means for detachablysecuring said head portion to the tubular handle section with thedentifrice supported thereby in housed position within the dentifricecompartment.

3. A. teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment, a dentifrice compartment, and adrying compartment interposed between said brush and dentifricecompartments, said drying compartment being defined by a solid partitionwall sealing off the drying compartment from the dentifrice compartmentand a perforated partition wall spaced from said solid partition wallseparating the drying compartment from the brush compartment, a brushsection comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a baseportion at the base end of the brush stei: said base portion providing aclosure for the brush compartment of the tubular handle section, meansassociated with said base portion for detachably securing said brushsection to said tubular handle section in use position, means associatedwith said base portion for detachably securing the brush section to thehandle section with the brush stem and brush bristles in housed positionwithin the brush compartment of said handle section, a dentifrice holderincluding a head portion providing a closure for the dentifricecompartment of said tubular handle section, said head portion havingmeans for containing and supporting a, dentifrice, and means fordetachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section with.the dentifrice supported thereby in housed position within thedentifrice compartment.

4. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brushstem supporting the brush bristles-and a base portion at the base end ofthe brush stem, means associated with said base-portion and said hanlesection for securing said brush section to said handle section in teethcleaning position and alternately in housed position within the brushcompartment of the handle section, said base portion having a containingpart providing a compartment for a drying agent for drying the brushbristles said containing part having a-plu rality of small openingsextending through the wall thereof adjacent the-base end of the brushstem providing communicating passageways between the drying'compartment'and the brush compartment when-the brush stem is in housedposition within said brush compartment.

5. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brushstem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end ofthe brush stern, means associated with said base portion and said handlesection for securing said brush section to said handle section in teethcleaning position and alternately in housed position within the brushcompartment of the handle section, said base portion having a containingpart providing a compartment for a drying agent for drying the brushbristles, said containing part having a plurality of small openingsextending through the wall thereof adjacent the base end of the brushstem providing communicating passageways between the drying compartmentand the brush compartment when the brush stem is in housed positionwithin said brush compartment, said base portion having a detachable capelement providing a closure for said drying compartment.

6. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment and a dentifrice compartment, a brushsection comprising a brush stem supporting the brush bristles and a baseportion at the base end of the brush stem, means associated with saidbase portion and said handle section for securing said brush section tosaid handle section in teeth cleaning position and alternately in housedposition within the brush compartment of the handle section, said baseportion having a containing part providing a compartment for a dryingagent for drying the brush bristles, said containing part having aplurality of small openings extending through the wall thereof adjacentthe base end of the brush-stem providing communicating passagewaysbetween the drying compartment and the brush compartment when the brushstem is in housed position within said brush compartment, said baseportion having a detachable cap element providing a closure for saiddrying compartment, :3, dentifrice holder in cluding a head portionproviding a, closure for the dentifrice compartment of said tubularhandle section, said head portion having means for containing andsupporting a dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said headportion to the tubular handle section with the dentifrice supportedthereby in housed position within the dentifrice compartment.

7. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a dentifrice compartment, 2. brush section connected tosaid tubular handle section, a dentifrice holder including a headportion providing a closure for the dentifrice compartment of saidtubular handle section, said head portion having means for containingand supporting a dentifrice, and means for detachably securing said headportion to the tubular handle section with the dentifrice supportedthereby in. housed position within the dentifrice compartment, said headportion hav-. ing a dental floss receptacle detachably secured to theouter end thereof, said receptacle having an end closure wall, a collarportion designed to contain dental floss extending from said end 010-sure wall and into a conforming cavity in said head portion, and anaperture in said end clo-' sure wall through which the floss thread maybe withdrawn. i

8. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a dentifrice compartment, .2. brush section connected tosaid tubular handle section, a dentifrice holder including a headportion providing a closure forv aaesyrsa the dentifrice compartmentof-said tubular hancontaining and supporting a dentifrice, and means fordetachably securing said head portion to the tubular handle section withthe dentifricesupported thereby in housed position within the dentifricecompartment, said head portion having a dental floss receptacledetachably secured to the outer end thereof, said receptable having adome shaped end closure wall having an outer surface conforming to theouter surface of said head portion, a collar designed to containa-spoolof dental floss extending from said end closurewall into aconforming cavity in said head portion, an aperture in said end closurewall through which the floss thread may be withdrawn, and a cuttingelement associated with said end closure wall by means of which thefloss thread may be severed.

9. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment, a brush section comprising a brushstem supporting the brush bristles and abase portion at the base end. ofthe brush stem, means associated with said base portion andsaid handlesection for securing said brush section to said handle section, saidbase portion havinga dental floss receptacle detachably securedthereto,- said receptacle having a containing wall, a collar portiondesigned to contain dental floss extending a into a conforming cavity insaid base portion and an aperture in said containing wall through whichthe floss thread may be withdrawn.

10. A teeth cleaning unit including in combination, a tubular handlesection having a brush compartment, a brush section comprisinga brushstem supporting the brush bristles and a base portion at the base end ofthe brush stern, means associated with said base portion and said handlesection for securing saidbrush section to said handle section in teethcleaning position and alternately in housing position within the brushcompartment, ofthe handle section, said base portion having a dentalfloss receptacle detachably secured thereto, said receptacle having adome shaped containing wall having an outer surface conforming to theouter, surfaceofsaid base portion, said receptacle having a, collarportion designed to contain a spool of dental floss extending into aconforming cavity in said base portion, an

which aperture in said containing wall through the floss thread may bewithdrawn, and a cutting element associated with said containing wall bymeans of which the, floss threadmay be severed.-

11. A dentifrice holder designed to be associated with the tubularhandle section of Va teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a headportion designed to provide a closure for the open end of said tubularhandle section, said head portion having a shoulder designed to abut theend of said tubular handle section, a collar portion designed to-extend.into said tubular handle sec-v tion, and means associated with, saidhead portion designed to contain and support a dentifrice in housedposition within said hollow handle section, said. means comprising acasingwall projecting from said head portion and adapted to be housedwithin said tubular handle section, and areceptor element for supportingthe lower end of a dental stick adapted to reciprocate in said casingwall.

12. A dentifrice holder designed to be associated with the tubularhandle section of a teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a headportion designed to provide a closure for the open designed to extendinto said tubular handle-section, said collar portion having means fordetachably securing said head portion-to-said' hol low handle section,and meansassociated with,

said head portion; designed to co-ntain-and-supw port a dentifricein-housed position within said, hollow handle section, said meanscomprising a. casing wall projecting from said head portion and adaptedto be housed withinsaidtubular handle section,and a receptor-element forsup porting the lower endof adental'stick adapted: to reciprocate insaidcasing wall.

13. A dentifrice holder designed to be associ-- ated with the tubularhandle section of a teeth. cleaning unit, said holder comprising a headportion designed to provide a closurefo-r the open: end of said tubularhandle section, said headpor tion having a shoulder designed to abut theend-= of said tubular handle section, a collar portion designed toextend into said tubular'handle: section, said collar portion havingmeans for detachably securing said head portion to said hollowhandlesection, and'means associated with said:- head portion designedto-contain and support a dentifrice in housedposition within saidhollowhandle section, said means comprising a casing wall projectingfrom said head portion; andadapted to be housed within said tubularhandle section, and a receptor elementfor supporting the lower end of adentalstick adapted to reciprocate in said casingwall, and meansassociated with said receptor element for manipulatingthe receptorelement'within said casingwall.

14. A dentifrice holder; designed-to be associated with the tubularhandle section of a teeth cleaning unit, said holder comprising a headportion designed to provide aclosure' for the open. end of said tubularhandle-section, said head portion having a shoulder designed to abutthe-endof saidtubular handle section, a collar portion designed toextend into saidtubularhandle section, and meansassociatedwithsaidheadportiondesigned to contain and gsupport a dentifrice in housedposition within, said; hollow handle section, said .means .comprising acasin wall projecting from saidihead portionand adapted to be housedwithin saidtubul-arhandle section, and; a receptor elementfor,,suppprting the lowerendg of a dental stickadaptedto reciprocate insaid;

casing wall, and means associatedwith said receptor element formanipulating the, receptor element within said casing wall;

MARCEL BOULICAULT;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are-of record inthefile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

